Whither OPT?

The future of Optional Practical Training , aka OPT, is uncertain to say the least.

Background: the opportunity for international students to work in the United States upon graduating from a U.S. college or university is a big draw. The Institute of International Education reported that 242,728 students were authorized to work on OPT in the 2023-2024 academic year. That’s more than 21% of the overall number of international students in the U.S. that year.

A recent webinar for international students, advertised as a source of advice about studying in the U.S. effective Fall 2025, platformed a grossly misleading statement about OPT, or Optional Practical Training. The webinar featured two admissions and international education leaders, at prominent American universities.

I tuned in hoping that I might glean some best practices to advise international students hoping to join my university this upcoming academic year, in light of the pause on visa interviews and other roadblocks.

You might say I’m a nitpicker – but I doubt I’m the only one.

One of the speakers, when asked about OPT, said – brimming with optimism – that OPT wasn’t going anywhere. This was in response to speculation that the U.S. government might eliminate or otherwise restrict this post-graduation work opportunity for F-1 Student Visa-holding international students.

I take issue with the speaker’s blithe -and indeed arguably misleading – optimism, for the following reason.

During his recent confirmation hearing, the nominee for Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow, said this: (see the 1 hour, 45 minute mark of the video)

“What I want to see would be essentially a regulatory and sub-regulatory program that would allow us to remove the ability for employment authorizations for F-1 students beyond the time that they are in school.”

Edlow is likely to be confirmed as USCIS Director in the coming weeks. Although there will be significant pushback by the technology industry and U.S. universities, the fact that he is on sworn record as wishing to eliminate post-graduation OPT does not bode well for that benefit moving forward.

Will it be eliminated altogether? That may be unlikely because of the aforementioned opposition. Will it be limited? That may indeed be likely.

International students who are basing their decision about whether to study in the U.S. on whether the OPT work opportunity will be available to them in the future should pay close attention to the facts. Much more should become clear over the next few months.